New blood needed to head police department

[tulsa_fan]

The police department can't change the laws regarding illegals.  That's why other cities have passed city laws regarding immigration status so their police force and courts have something without having to rely on federal immigration to process them.  If someone commits a crime (no DL, DUI, assult, etc.) they are arrested, regardless of their status.  They are booked into jail.  If the federal immigration doesn't pursue the immigration issues, the city has no jurisdiction regarding that, but they can still be prosecuted for their crime.  They just won't be held just because they are not legally here.

As for the police chief, I agree with the mayor looking outside the department.  To me, only limiting the field to three internal candidates isn't a wise decision.  I agree, it's important to give them each full consideration.  They have worked their way through the ranks, you'd like to assume they are in their position because they are qualified and can lead the department, but several of you have said it; the department is in turmoil.  It's not just crime rates raising, it's internal.  It needs a strong new leader.  I personally have a hard time seeing a 20+ year TPD veteran coming in and having a fresh perscpective on the department.  Limiting the city to 3 people in their search is just silly.  If these candidates are quality candidates, they will hold up against external candidates as well.  I think Palmer is an execellent example of fresh new ideas.  I can think of several things he brought to the department:  college degree requirement and computers in cars are two quick ones.  Chief Been has done a wonderful job.  I admire him and respect him, but I also think he has maintained the status quo from before his reign.    

[rwarn17588]

That's what drove me crazy about Bill LaFortune. The initial SWAT team report about the TPD brought up some legitimate issues that needed to be addressed.

But LaFortune bungled the situation badly when he suspended Chief Been. I got people up in arms and demanded that Been be reinstated. It really put the mayor (whoever it would have been later) in a bind in addressing those issues later.

It's yet another reason why I was astounded that a few otherwise-thoughtful Tulsans decided to endorse LaFortune for re-election.

[tim huntzinger]

IMO the TPD needs more than new blood, it needs a tummy tuck and organ transplants.

What was Congressman Sullivan's COS doing in the Mayor's office during the SWAT thang, anyhoo?

Has Been reversed the organizational changes made by his temp?  Seemed like right after them changes several major positive developments occurred.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by tulsa_fan

The police department can't change the laws regarding illegals.  That's why other cities have passed city laws regarding immigration status so their police force and courts have something without having to rely on federal immigration to process them.  If someone commits a crime (no DL, DUI, assult, etc.) they are arrested, regardless of their status.  They are booked into jail.  If the federal immigration doesn't pursue the immigration issues, the city has no jurisdiction regarding that, but they can still be prosecuted for their crime.  They just won't be held just because they are not legally here.

Okay, here's one thing they could enforce which is painfully obvious: how about setting up a sting operation to bust whomever it is that is making the bogus immigration and social security cards.

[Double A]

Another easy thing that could be done is to require all businesses in Tulsa(or the state for that matter) to verify the legal status of employees through the Basic Pilot Program which is a free service through the feds.Local law enforcement can be granted the power to enforce immigration law. The feds will even pay for the training. This sanctuary policy only makes cops look like they are protecting and serving criminals.

[jamesrage]

I believe in promotion from within.It is a slap in the face to all the police officers who worked hard to get where they are at just to get kicked down by a liberal mayor who wants to hire outsiders.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by jamesrage

I believe in promotion from within.It is a slap in the face to all the police officers who worked hard to get where they are at just to get kicked down by a liberal mayor who wants to hire outsiders.

Look who we have for a Mayor.  Someone who worked in Oklahoma City in her last job and from the sounds of it was spending a lot of her spare time in Ft. Lauderdale.  Doesn't matter she's got a mansion off 31st St.  

Kathy Taylor's an outsider, so it doesn't bother her to step over local talent and fill positions with other outsiders.

[Wilbur]

Kathy Taylor's an outsider, so it doesn't bother her to step over local talent and fill positions with other outsiders.

She's quickly becoming the poster child for the very reason civil service was born in the first place.

Lets see.  So far she has got rid of the following department heads:  Legal, Gilcrease Museum, Police, Presiding Judge.  Who have I missed?  How many more are on the horizon?  And notice how none have been filled yet.  We'll see how committed she is to the best versus her buddies.

[ifsandbuts]

quote:Originally posted by Wilbur

Kathy Taylor's an outsider, so it doesn't bother her to step over local talent and fill positions with other outsiders.

She's quickly becoming the poster child for the very reason civil service was born in the first place.

Lets see.  So far she has got rid of the following department heads:  Legal, Gilcrease Museum, Police, Presiding Judge.  Who have I missed?  How many more are on the horizon?  And notice how none have been filled yet.  We'll see how committed she is to the best versus her buddies.

OK, I'm guessing you just want to criticize Taylor, because I can't imagine you really think any of those people should still be in their jobs.
Let's go over this list: She got rid of a City Attorney who was universally regarded as an incompetent, arrogant buffoon and who almost singlehandedly cost the city a $13 million judgment (I say almost singlehandedly because he was aided in his incompetence by Larry Simmons, who she also had the presence of mind to get rid of.) The police chief removal was started and mangled by LaFortune -- again, is there anyone besides police union diehards who is going to claim that Been could ably lead the department at this point? Although both the judge and the Gilcrease director seemed to have MAJOR performance issues, the judge was fired by the City Council and the Gilcrease head was axed by the Gilcrease Board, not the mayor (in fact, she kept the Gilcrease director on City payroll.)
I would argue that a huge part of LaFortune's rather overwhelmingly bad job as Mayor was because across the board, he promoted incompetent people to management positions, and then left them there long enough that they were cemented in with Civil Service protection. The city would be a lot better off if Taylor had the ability to get rid of more of them. Unfortunately, they pretty much have to break the law, or be obviously guilty of gross negligence, before you can get rid of them. Forget term limits for elected officials -- I'd rather see term limits for ingrained bureacrats!

[Double A]

Go back and watch the Council meeting where the McGee settlement was discussed, everyone seemed to indicate that Deputy Mayor Tom "Boss Hawg" Baker deserved the credit for managing the settlement. Why isn't his head on the chopping block?

[RecycleMichael]

During Mayor Bill LaFortune's years in city hall he also replaced many department heads. Some of these were probably just timing, but others were needed for new direction. During his four years I can think of these new department heads...police chief, legal, parks, riverparks, tulsa transit, and the airport. I am sure there were others that I can't think of. I don't remember any cry of foul back then.

Each Mayor should be allowed to find the right people to do the job and the employees should have some protection under civil service. It is a difficult decision to move people out of careers, but we need the best people possible to do the job.

I know two of the three internal candidates and I think they are upstanding members of our community and fine police officers. But the two reports that came out relating to handling the SWAT incidents and the suspension of Chief Been painted a picture of a very disfunctional police department. The reports said that top members of the police administration hated each other and there was two different camps.

The police department is clearly divided, with top deputies being promoted or included in information based on which side of the divide they are on. It was very apparent when Chief Been was suspended and then acting Chief Wells changed all the leadership positions to his supporters.

I don't know what happened to make this department split into two different teams of officers. I do know that promoting one team over the other will not solve the deep feelings found in the force.

Tulsa needs a police force that is focused on fighting crime and not fighting each other.

I didn't think the Mayor would make this tough decision to go outside because of her close relationship with the police union and their support of her during the campaign. But I am pleasantly pleased that she decided to try the only thing that will work to bring this police force together...bringing in someone from the outside to serve as the new Chief of Police.

[Double A]

Hearing Postponed For Accused Cop Shooter
Wednesday February 28, 2007 9:13pm    
Posted By: Kevin King

Formal Charges Filed Against Alleged Cop Shooter
Tulsa - A man accused of shooting a Tulsa police officer in November has had his arraignment delayed a week.

Everardo Valencia-Tadeo is charged with shooting with intent to kill, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a controlled drug.

He was scheduled for an arraignment and motions hearing Wednesday afternoon. But, it was reset to March 8th at 9 a.m. It's the third delay in the case.

Tadeo was arrested early on the morning of November 12th after he allegedly fired five shots from a 9mm handgun at Officer Scott Osborn, one of which struck him in the chest. Luckily, Osborn was wearing a bullet-proof vest, which saved his life.

Tadeo was arrested a short time later.

Tadeo has been the focus of intense speculation since his arrest. Police wanted to know if he was in this country illegally. Assistant District Attorney Doug Drummond confirmed to NewsChannel 8 in November that Tadeo is being held for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, but couldn't tell whether or not he was an illegal alien.

This isn't the first run-in with the law for Tadeo. Court records show he pleaded guilty and received suspended sentences for driving under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident and driving without a license.

Tadeo remains in the Tulsa County Jail, where he is being held without bond.

[D]

http://tpdblog.typepad.com/tpdblog/2007/03/to_the_new_chie.html